Nikon Small World Competition 2026 in USA

The Nikon Small World Competition 2026 is an international contest celebrating photomicrography, the art of photography through a microscope. It welcomes entries from individuals worldwide who are passionate about microscopy, offering separate categories for still images and digital videos. The competition aims to showcase the beauty and scientific detail visible at the microscopic level.

Nikon Instruments Inc. organizes this prestigious competition, which has been running since 1975. It provides a global platform for scientists, photographers, and hobbyists to display their work, with winning entries featured in exhibitions across the United States and Canada and in scientific publications.

Nikon Small World Competition Benefits

• First prize: $3,000.
• Second prize: $2,000.
• Third prize: $1,000.
• Fourth prize: $800.
• Fifth prize: $600.
• Sixth prize: $500.
• Seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth prizes are $400 apiece.
• Prizes: $300 for the eleventh to twentieth places.
• Honorable Mentions: $200 apiece.
• Images of Distinction: The winner will get a Nikon gift card worth $35.
• Photomicrographic digital videos: 1st Prize: $3,000.
• 2nd Prize: $2,000.
• 3rd Prize: $1,000.
• 4th Prize: $800.
• 5th Prize: $600.
• Honorable Mentions: $200 each.

Nikon Small World Competition Eligibility Criteria

• Participants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible.
• Participants should not be Nikon employees, agents, or associates.
• Participants should not be affiliated with any competitive microscope or camera manufacturers.
• Image submissions must be in .jpeg, .png, .psd, or .tiff format with good resolution.
• AI-generated images/videos are not permitted as entries.
• The entry images/videos should be obtained using a light microscope. Images captured with an electron microscope or any other microscope that does not use optical light technology will not be approved.
• Macro photography is not permitted.
• Images/videos that have already won an award or photomicrography competition are ineligible.
• All information should be submitted in English.
• Submissions should not violate anyone’s rights.
• Submission entries should not criticize the sponsor, administrator, or any other individual or entity.
• Submissions should not include brand names, logos, trademarks, web URLs, names, addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses.
• Entries must not contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, bots, spyware, or other computer code.
• Entries cannot contain information that is inappropriate, indecent, discriminatory, obscene, hateful, tortious, defamatory, or illegal.
• Each contestant is allowed to upload and submit up to three photos and videos.
• Entrants must have the right and authority to submit their entries.

How to Apply for Nikon Small World Competition?

1. Fill in your name, phone number, email address, home address, country name, and the name of the school, institution, or organization to which the applicant belongs, as well as the address.
2. Entrants must specify the type, make, and model of the equipment used to capture the images or videos submitted for this competition.
3. Entrants should describe each entry they submit.
4. Respond to the registration information requested by the sponsor.
5. Upload up to three photomicrographic digital photos or movies that you took.
6. By ticking the box on the form, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the official competition regulations.
7. Please submit the entry form, together with all registration information and images/videos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Nikon Small World Competition 2026. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply for this international photomicrography contest.